Ian is Director of Phillipsons Financial Planning, with more than twenty years' experience in funds management and financial planning . He has pioneered the development of SMS Pro in Gippsland-an SMSF solution offered exclusively by Phillipsons.

Brent Butcher is a Phillipsons Associate, Business Accounting and Taxation Advisor and SMS specialist, with particular expertise in superannuation administration, and a broad range of skills in record keeping and tax matters.

Wills, estate planning and you ...

What happens if your marital status changes and you want someone other than your spouse to receive the pay-out?

Or, what if you nominate your spouse as the beneficial owner, rather than your estate? What difference does it make?

If you have a comprehensive will with testamentary trusts and nominate your spouse as the beneficial owner, the insurance proceeds will be payable direct to your spouse. Result: your spouse is unable to put the proceeds in his or her testamentary trust without compromising the tax benefits.

A further problem occurs if your spouse is on the top marginal tax bracket. Depending on amount of the pay-out, your spouse could be paying tens of thousands of dollars in tax on the return.

A better option is to nominate your estate, allowing your spouse to distribute the income to your children.

A word from Workforce Guardian ...

our partner for our April seminar on 'Fair Work: What every EMPLOYER needs to know'.

David Bates, Managing Director of Workforce Guardian, says: 'In our opinion, the two most significant risks you and your business face are non-compliance with the taxation laws and non-compliance with employment relations laws ...'

Click here to read David's full report and information on why subscibing to Workforce Guardian could be a smart move.

Dancing With Our Stars

As mentioned in our rpevious Bulletin, Phillipsons is a proud sponsor of the 2012 Dancing With Our Stars event, with our very own Wayne van der Heide competing with dance partner Megan Paterson, a nurse and diabetes educator in Gippsland.

All proceeds from the event will go to Sale Elderly Citizens Village and the Five Star Project. The goal is to raise $100,000 in 2012.

Tickets are on sale will be $60 per head. Phone Work Hire Australia on 03 5144 7488 for all enquiries on sponsorship, ticket sales, etc.

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Pty Ltd
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member firms of Phillipsons, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation